Is Magoebaskloof absolute hill phobic friendly?

[HaydenWilson]

Hey guys thanks for the info. I think it answers my question, definitely beyond my fitness and climbing abilities. It does look beautiful though. I 'm there the weekend after the race.

 

If you want some easy flat riding then do the marked trails that start at the magoebaskloof hotel. The yellow route from there is very flat and practically manicured. Check out the maps at the restaurant at the hotel.

 

or, If you want some serious fun. drive with someone to the famous waterfall (I cant remember what its called but its just out of magoebaskloof) take the turnoff to the waterfall off the tar road and drive up the dirtroad. Ignore the second turnoff to the waterfall and drive uphill along the logging roads. about 20km later you will be at the top of the hill. then, ride back down to the waterfall. Its absolutely astoundingly fun and beautiful as you will be cruising through patches of indigenous forest and pine.

 

I dont think I had to pedal once.

Edited October 25, 2013 by HaydenWilson

[nickc]

You ready Nick?

 

My bike is - me not so much

 

How is it looking up there ?

[Li Mu Bai]

I'm heading there for a wedding in November, figured I could take my bike along but now I believe it's hills and more hills. I don't really want to lug my bike along all the way for a walk up the hills.

Gorgeous part of SA. Done the Haenertsburg mtb race years ago, and then the PWC road race, stunning, but you do climb your butt off...

[Uni]

Ok the idea of an amble around the dam sounds like more my cup of tea - especially after a wedding :-D

Rather have my bike with me and not use it then want it and it's not there.

 

I was told last night it is called "MOUNTAIN" biking for a reason - have to one day come to grips with getting up hills and not freaking out coming down them.

 

Have a great w/e guys and those of you doing the race on the 2nd - have a blast, ride safe and take pics.

[EZRider]

 

 

My bike is - me not so much

 

How is it looking up there ?

 

Been raining but should dry up by next week. Tomorrow's Mooketsi marathon is another story!

[BarHugger]

There are other routes around the dam and others which are a lot flatter, you don't have to head up into Mount Merrick and Woodbush areas. Take your bike along, you wont regret it. Magoebaskloof tourism has marked routes now: http://www.magoebask...tain-biking.php

 

Mount Merrick form the bottom, then form the top.....and just another nice climb in the plantations.....heaven!!!!

 

I will be at "Down and Dirty" that is on the same weekend, but mentally at the fun in Magoebaskloof.......bummer!!!!

[nickc]

Mount Merrick form the bottom, then form the top.....and just another nice climb in the plantations.....heaven!!!!

 

I will be at "Down and Dirty" that is on the same weekend, but mentally at the fun in Magoebaskloof.......bummer!!!!

 

 

Great Pics !!!!!!!!!!!! :clap:

[Uni]

Thanks for the pics. SOLD!!!! Managed to extend my stay by 2 nights so looking forward to it - and the hotel has ok'd us taking our bikes. Yah.

[arendoog]

I look at it this way. Where there is an uphill there's a downhill.

That,s my philosophy also .I only try and train riding climbs where i find them .A strong climber is a safe descender

[kosmonooit]

Looking at that marathon profile ... eish, deja vu! there is nothing horizontal which means you generally spend all the time pedalling up hills, the down bits are over all to quickly, but a stunning area, worth the pain!

 

Hope the field is a bit bigger this time so I don't come in last again.

[EZRider]

Looking at that marathon profile ... eish, deja vu! there is nothing horizontal which means you generally spend all the time pedalling up hills, the down bits are over all to quickly, but a stunning area, worth the pain!

 

Hope the field is a bit bigger this time so I don't come in last again.

 

Field will definitely be bigger.

Too much climbing for me to do well so I'll be hoping to end in the middle somewhere. Hopefully close to Nick if he isn't still celebrating the Sharks next weekend!

Edited October 27, 2013 by EZRider

[Bicycle Supply Chain]

Hey Guys.

 

Just a word of warning to all those going there to ride.

 

I am a Farm owner there, looking at the profiles / routes shown on page 1, Barfly did LOTS of riding on private land. The farmers are fed up with "out of towers" just rocking up and riding on private property. There have been a few instances where "out of towers" (Being hikers, cyclists, motorbikes) causing serious problems from smoking in the forests, destroying fauna and flora by riding where they not allowed, littering etc.

 

Farmers are generally super friendly IF you have got their permission first. If not, dont be surprised if they ride you off the rode or have a shotgun stuffed up your nose.

 

So prior to heading out, find out where the approved trails are (there are a few from magoebaskloof hotel, and who to get in contact with for permission if you wish to head off the route.

 

There is a district road around ebenezer dam, and up to debegeni water fall that you can ride as it is public access, but dont venture off of it without permission.

 

The plantations take 30years to yield and a few have had R20-30Mil worth written off to fire from people who dontcare and the farmers are fed up.

 

I personally will lock someone up if i find them on my property.

 

Remember this: what would you do if you woke up on a sunday to find a bunch on mtbers riding around your garden at home?

 

Well, thats how the farmer feels.

 

Happy riding and have fun.

 

Oh, and take your climbing legs. if you do know the area an get permission, doing 1500-2000m in 30km is possible

 

Mike

[EZRider]

Hey Guys.

 

Just a word of warning to all those going there to ride.

 

I am a Farm owner there, looking at the profiles / routes shown on page 1, Barfly did LOTS of riding on private land. The farmers are fed up with "out of towers" just rocking up and riding on private property. There have been a few instances where "out of towers" (Being hikers, cyclists, motorbikes) causing serious problems from smoking in the forests, destroying fauna and flora by riding where they not allowed, littering etc.

 

Farmers are generally super friendly IF you have got their permission first. If not, dont be surprised if they ride you off the rode or have a shotgun stuffed up your nose.

 

So prior to heading out, find out where the approved trails are (there are a few from magoebaskloof hotel, and who to get in contact with for permission if you wish to head off the route.

 

There is a district road around ebenezer dam, and up to debegeni water fall that you can ride as it is public access, but dont venture off of it without permission.

 

The plantations take 30years to yield and a few have had R20-30Mil worth written off to fire from people who dontcare and the farmers are fed up.

 

I personally will lock someone up if i find them on my property.

 

Remember this: what would you do if you woke up on a sunday to find a bunch on mtbers riding around your garden at home?

 

Well, thats how the farmer feels.

 

Happy riding and have fun.

 

Oh, and take your climbing legs. if you do know the area an get permission, doing 1500-2000m in 30km is possible

 

Mike

 

Where do you farm boosted?

 

I am also a farmer up here and find the MTBers generally don't smoke or litter much, in fact they end up reporting fires caused by honey theft, cut fences and other problems.

Us (Lakeview Estate), golden macs, quite a bit of ZZ2 and westfalia, Groenfontein Boerdery and SLM are generally very tolerant of MTB riders on our land but what boosted said is true: some farm owners get irate and its better to ask first then get everyone banned later.

Even better, contact Tzaneen Cycling Club, who can give you a heads up on where to ride safely without annoying anyone.

[EZRider]

Hey Guys.

 

Just a word of warning to all those going there to ride.

 

I am a Farm owner there, looking at the profiles / routes shown on page 1, Barfly did LOTS of riding on private land. The farmers are fed up with "out of towers" just rocking up and riding on private property. There have been a few instances where "out of towers" (Being hikers, cyclists, motorbikes) causing serious problems from smoking in the forests, destroying fauna and flora by riding where they not allowed, littering etc.

 

Farmers are generally super friendly IF you have got their permission first. If not, dont be surprised if they ride you off the rode or have a shotgun stuffed up your nose.

 

So prior to heading out, find out where the approved trails are (there are a few from magoebaskloof hotel, and who to get in contact with for permission if you wish to head off the route.

 

There is a district road around ebenezer dam, and up to debegeni water fall that you can ride as it is public access, but dont venture off of it without permission.

 

The plantations take 30years to yield and a few have had R20-30Mil worth written off to fire from people who dontcare and the farmers are fed up.

 

I personally will lock someone up if i find them on my property.

 

Remember this: what would you do if you woke up on a sunday to find a bunch on mtbers riding around your garden at home?

 

Well, thats how the farmer feels.

 

Happy riding and have fun.

 

Oh, and take your climbing legs. if you do know the area an get permission, doing 1500-2000m in 30km is possible

 

Mike

 

Oh, and any farmer riding anyone off the road or pointing a shotgun at anyone should and will spend time in prison learning the meaning of appropriate response.

Edited October 27, 2013 by EZRider

[Uni]

There is a district road around ebenezer dam, and up to debegeni water fall that you can ride as it is public access, but dont venture off of it without permission.

 

Thanks Mike, I have received details from the hotel regarding routes. I believe we need to get a permit as well. Can I assume that private road/ paths would be labelled accordingly? I would hate to have someone take pot shots at us because we're unintentionally trespassing.

[Bicycle Supply Chain]

Where do you farm boosted?

 

I am also a farmer up here and find the MTBers generally don't smoke or litter much, in fact they end up reporting fires caused by honey theft, cut fences and other problems.

Us (Lakeview Estate), golden macs, quite a bit of ZZ2 and westfalia, Groenfontein Boerdery and SLM are generally very tolerant of MTB riders on our land but what boosted said is true: some farm owners get irate and its better to ask first then get everyone banned later.

Even better, contact Tzaneen Cycling Club, who can give you a heads up on where to ride safely without annoying anyone.

 

We have a farm on the Georges valley road, near the letaba river bridge, below the dam wall

 

Unfortunately we have had different experiences with both MTB and motorbikes on ours and neighbours farms.